IN AN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION IS KEY!

Wednesday

Aug 29, 2007 at 12:01 AM

By ALEX MALGIEN

By ALEX MALGIEN

Somerset Flotilla 8-4 Commander

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Nary has a day passed that we don't hear about a news item concerning a boat or a boater. These are real life news items and events that happen all the time — especially in these parts. People get into trouble out there. In most instances, when something goes awry on the water, people call the US Coast Guard.

The US Coast Guard gets thousands of calls each year. In each situation, the actions of the Coast Guard may differ. From just monitoring the situation, to air dropping supplies, or airlifting the individual out of their situation, the Coast Guard is in constant contact with vessels in distress who make the call.

What we are talking about this week is communications - emergency communications. It is important that vessel has the proper radio (VHF or SSB) to contact the Coast Guard. Each vessel needs to know how to contact the Coast Guard, and know what information the Coast Guard needs at a minimum to aid them.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, through its Recreational Boating Safety mission, urges all members of the Boating community do become familiar with not only the operations of their individual VHF/SSB radios, but what steps and information is needed when contacting the Coast Guard in an emergency. "Time is non-renewable", as stated in a speech recently given by VADM Thomas Barrett, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard.

In an emergency, time may be of the essence, and should not be wasted. Every crew member and guest should be given a briefing on how to use your radio, and what information is needed in case of an emergency (and where to find it).

Here is what the Coast Guard Auxiliary suggests you have in place before next boating trip.

1. Knowledge of where you are at all times (GPS/Loran helps, but a chart is imperative; and electronics can - and often do fail).

These four simple but extremely important pieces of information may just save your life some day. This is the initial, crucial information the Coast Guard will request when you call for an emergency. To see the actual "Initial SAR (Search and Rescue) Check Sheet" used by the United States Coast Guard go to our website at http://a0130804.uscgaux.info .

While we're talking emergency communication, we wish to remind people that a MAYDAY call requires that all chatter on the frequency be halted immediately, and that only the parties to the MAYDAY transmit.

Should you hear a MAYDAY, and not hear a response from the Coast Guard, it is possible that the transmission from the vessel in danger did not reach the Coast Guard. It is highly unlikely that you'll hear the distress call, and the Coast Guard will not (due to the placement of many of the Coast Guard's antenna installations), but it is possible.

If the Coast Guard does not acknowledge the MAYDAY transmission, it is your duty to act as an intermediary for that vessel and contact the Coast Guard for that distressed vessel. You may be the only chance that the distress vessel has to reach the Coast Guard.

Lastly, only use MAYDAY if there is a grave and imminent danger to life or property. Use Pan Pan, for serious emergencies, that don't warrant a MAYDAY. Sécurité is used to warn other boaters of a issues that threaten the safety of navigation (a tow underway, a log in the water, etc).

For more information about boating safety and/or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, contact the Somerset Flotilla at (http://a0130804.uscgaux.info ). For more information about the Coast Guard, contact your local unit or find them on the web at www.uscg.mil.